Miniature rose plant named &#39;KORpot060&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘KORpot060’ is a new and distinct variety of  Rosa hybrida  which is characterized by the combination of a compact growth habit, dark green and glossy foliage, good resistance to downy mildew and powdery mildew, white very-double flowers with deep pink petal margins, and very good shelf life as a pot plant. The new variety propagates successfully by stem cuttings and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Latin name of genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Rosa hybrida.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Rosa hybrida disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘KORpot060’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Rosa hybrida variety ‘KORpot060’ is the result of a controlled cross-pollination breeding program carried out by the inventor in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. The objective of the said breeding program was to create a new and distinct rose plant with unique qualities, such as:

-   -   1. Uniform growth and flowering;     -   2. Abundant attractive, pink colored recurrent flowers;     -   3. Attractive and abundant foliage; and     -   4. Excellent shelf life for the plant when grown as a commercial         pot rose. This combination of qualities is not present in prior         rose cultivars known to the inventor. These objectives have been         substantially achieved and in that distinguish ‘KORpot060’ from         all other varieties known to the inventor.

‘KORpot060’ is a seedling selection which resulted from the controlled pollination of Rosa hybrida ‘KORsalexa’ (not protected in the United States), the seed parent, and Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot012’ (not protected in the United States), both developed and owned by the same inventor, during the summer of 2011. As part of a rose development program, Tim-Hermann Kordes germinated seeds from the aforementioned hybridization during the following winter and conducted evaluations and observations on the resulting seedlings in a controlled environment in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. The resulting seedlings exhibited distinctive physical and biological characteristics. The new rose plant was selected as a single plant in April of 2012 from the seedling beds due to its superior characteristics and asexually propagated for further evaluation. This new and distinctive rose variety was given the name ‘KORpot060’.

Asexual Reproduction: The first asexual propagation of ‘KORpot060’ was performed in July of 2012 at the inventor's nursery in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. Subsequently, ‘KORpot060’ has been successfully propagated by stem cuttings and in Jackson County, Oreg. These initial and other subsequent propagations conducted in controlled environments demonstrate that ‘KORpot060’ reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Rosa hybrida cultivar ‘KORpot060’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘KORpot060’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot060’ exhibits a compact growth habit; and     -   2. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot060’ exhibits dark green and very glossy         foliage; and     -   3. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot060’ exhibits good resistance to downy         mildew and powdery mildew; and     -   4. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot060’ exhibits a very double petal count;         and     -   5. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot060’ exhibits a small to medium flower         size for a miniature rose; and     -   6. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot060’ exhibits very good shelf life as a         pot plant; and     -   7. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot060’ exhibits a white flower color with         deep pink margins, at anthesis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color drawing shows as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in color photographs of this type, the typical characteristics of the buds, sepals, reproductive organs, flowers, leaves, prickles, and stems of ‘KORpot060’, taken from twelve month old plants.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of Rosa hybrida known as ‘KORpot060’, based upon field observations made in July of 2015, from twelve month old container-grown plants in a greenhouse environment in Jackson County, Oreg. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘KORpot060’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2001 edition except where common terms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘KORpot060’ and comparisons with other varieties of Rosa hybrida are provided below.

-   General plant description:     -   -   Growth rate.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Growth habit.—Compact.         -   Mature dimensions.—24 cm tall and 20 cm wide, on average,             when grown as a 15 cm nursery pot.         -   Cold hardiness.—Unknown.         -   Propagation.—Stem cuttings.         -   Disease resistance.—Good resistance to powdery mildew             (Sphaerotheca pannosa) and downy mildew (Peronospora sparsa)             in a greenhouse environment in Jackson County, Oreg. -   Root system: Fibrous. -   Stems:     -   -   Stem color.—Young stems are Yellow-Green Group 144A; mature             stems are Yellow-Green Group 146A.         -   Anthocyanin intonations.—Greyed-Red Group 181A intonations             are present on new growth.         -   Stem surface texture.—Both immature and mature stems exhibit             a smooth texture.         -   Stem dimensions.—Typical mature stems are approximately 20             to 25 cm long and 4 mm in diameter.         -   Prickles.—Incidence — Present; 8 prickles per 10 cm of stem,             on average. Size — Average length is 2 to 4 mm. Immature             prickle color — Yellow-Green Group 145B. Mature prickle             color — Yellow-Green Group 145B and senescing to             Greyed-Orange Group 177C. Anthocyanin intonations — None             present. Shape — Linear. Texture — Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Imparipinnate compound leaves; mature axillary             leaves consisting of 5 leaflets.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Dimensions.—60 to 65 mm long and 40 to 45 mm wide, on             average.         -   Abundance.—Above average; 60 to 65 leaves per plant.         -   Stipules.—Size — 7 mm long and 3 to 4 mm wide. Stipule color             — Yellow-Green Group 146A, and 146C on the midrib.             Anthocyanin intonations — None. Stipitate glands — Abundant             on the margins. Margins — Glandular toothed. Texture,             adaxial surfaces — Smooth with fine hairs. Texture, abaxial             surfaces — Glabrous. Apex — Apiculate. Base — Winged.         -   Petiole.—Length — Average 12 mm. Diameter — Average 1 mm.             Petiole color, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Yellow-Green             Group 146A. Margins — Entire with occasional stipitate             glands. Anthocyanin intonations — None. Prickles — One             prickle present on the abaxial surface of the petiole.             Stipitate glands — Limited number; present on the margins.             Texture — Smooth, with a few fine white hairs on the adaxial             surface. Strength — Somewhat strong.         -   Rachis.—Length — Average 10 to 14 mm. Diameter — Average             1 mm. Color — Yellow-Green Group 146B. Anthocyanin             intonations — None present. Margins — Entire with occasional             stipitate glands. Prickles — A few small prickles             underneath. Stipitate glands — Limited; present along             margins and underneath. Texture — Papillate.         -   Leaflets.—Quantity — Normally 5 leaflets on normal leaves in             middle of the stem. Dimensions — Average size of the             terminal leaflet is 25 mm long and 15 mm wide. Shape —             Ovate. Apex — Acuminate. Base — Obtuse. Margins — Serrated;             no undulation. Luster and texture, adaxial surface —             Semi-glossy and smooth. Luster and texture, abaxial surface             — Matte and rugose. Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface             — Yellow-Green Group 146A. Juvenile foliage color, abaxial             surface — Yellow-Green Group 146B. Mature foliage color,             adaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 147A. Mature foliage             color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 147B.             Anthocyanin intonations — Greyed-Red Group 182A. Intonations             are predominantly present on abaxial surface and margins of             juvenile leaflets. Venation — Reticulate. Petiolule —             Dimensions — 1.5 mm long and 1 mm in diameter. Petiolule             color, adaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 145A. Petiolule             color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 145A. Prickles —             None present. Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces —             Smooth. Margins — Entire with occasional stipitate glands. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Determinate. Most commonly, solitary to             simple corymb of 2 to 3 flowers on apical and flowering             lateral shoots.         -   Blooming habit.—Recurrent.         -   Quantity of flowers.—Solitary to up to 3 flower buds per             inflorescence.         -   Size.—75 mm tall and 50 mm wide, on average.         -   Peduncle.—Length — 10 to 30 mm average length. Diameter — 2             to 3 mm average diameter. Color — Yellow-Green Group 146A.             Anthocyanin intonations — None. Strength — Strong. Texture             and pubescence — Smooth; glabrous. -   Flowering laterals: None present. -   Bud:     -   -   Bud form.—Short; globular.         -   Size.—Upon opening, 20 to 25 mm in length from base of             receptacle to distal end of bud and 14 to 17 mm diameter at             its widest point.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color, as sepals first unfold.—Orange Group 27B, with             intonations of Red-Purple Group N57B on petal margins.         -   Color when one-quarter open, inner side.—Marginal zone —             Green-Yellow Group 1D, with intonations of Red-Purple Group             N57B. Middle zone — Green-Yellow Group 1D. Basal zone —             Green-Yellow Group 1C.         -   Color when one-quarter open, outer side.—Marginal zone —             Green-Yellow Group 1D, with intonations of Red-Purple Group             N57B. Middle zone — Green-Yellow Group 1C. Basal zone —             Green-Yellow Group 1C. -   Flower:     -   -   Pedicel.—Surface — Limited number of stipitate glands are             present. Length — 15 to 25 mm, on average. Diameter — 2 to 3             mm, on average. Color — Yellow-Green Group 144A. Anthocyanin             intonations — Not present. Strength — Somewhat strong.             Texture — Papillate.         -   Calyx.—General — Comprised of five polysepalous sepals, with             weak to moderate foliaceous appendages present on three of             the five sepals. Diameter of calyx — 40 to 50 mm, at             anthesis. Sepals Color, adaxial surface — A combination of             both Yellow-Green Group 144A and Green Group 137A. Color,             abaxial surface — A combination of Yellow-Green Group 147B             and 147C. Anthocyanin intonations — Not present. Size — 18             to 24 mm lung and 5 to 6 mm wide, on average. Apex — Both             cirrose and apiculate apices observed. Base — Flat at union             with receptacle. Quantity — Five. Texture, adaxial surface —             Hoary. Texture, abaxial surface — Smooth with a few fine             white hairs. Margins — Both glandular toothed and ciliate             margins observed. Stipitate glands — Limited number on the             abaxial surface and along margins.         -   Corolla.—General shape of corolla — Round to star-shaped.             Shape of corolla when viewed from the side — Upon opening,             upper portion — Flattened convex. Upon opening, lower             portion — Flattened convex. Open flower, upper portion —             Flattened convex. Open flower, lower portion — Concave.             Dimensions — Medium for a miniature rose. When open, the             average flower diameter is 40 mm and the average flower             height is 15 to 20 mm. Fragrance — Light. Duration — On the             plant 18 to 24 days. Senesced petals clinging. Petals —             Petal count — Exhibits very double flowers with             approximately 90 petals under normal conditions. Petal             arrangement — Formal. Petal reflex — Doubly reflexed. Timing             of petal reflex — One-by-one; outermost petals reflexing             first. Petal margin — Entire. Petal shape — Outermost petals             are elliptical; innermost petals are cuneate. Apex —             Acuminate. Base — Outermost petals are obtuse; innermost             petals are cuneate. Dimensions — 10 to 18 mm long and 5 to             15 mm wide. Texture, inner surface — Smooth. Texture, outer             surface — Smooth. Petal color, upon opening — Outermost             petals, inner and outer surfaces — Marginal zone —             Yellow-Green Group 150D, with intonations of Red-Purple             Group N57A at the margins. Middle zone — Yellow-Green Group             150D. Basal zone — Green-Yellow Group 1C. Innermost petals,             inner and outer surfaces — Marginal zone — Green-Yellow             Group 1C, with intonations of Red-Purple Group N57A at the             margins. Middle zone — Green-Yellow Group 1C. Basal zone —             Green-Yellow Group 1B. Basal petal spots, upon opening — No             distinct coloration at the petal base. Petal color, after             opening — Outermost petals, inner and outer surfaces —             Marginal zone — Yellow-Green Group 150D, with intonations of             Red-Purple Group N57A at the margins. Middle zone —             Yellow-Green Group 150D. Basal zone — Yellow-Green Group             150D. Innermost petals, inner and outer surfaces — Marginal             zone — Yellow Group 3C, with intonations of Red-Purple Group             N57A at the margins. Middle zone — Yellow Group 3C. Basal             zone — Yellow Group 3C. Basal petal spots, after opening —             No distinct coloration at the petal base. General Tonality —             Yellow Group 2D, with intonations of Red-Purple Group N57B,             fading to Red-Purple 58D. Petaloids — Quantity — 15             petaloids per flower, on average. Dimensions — Approximately             5 to 9 mm long and 2 to 4 mm wide. Color, inner and outer             surfaces — Marginal zone — Yellow Group 1C, with intonations             of Red-Purple Group N57A at the margins. Middle zone —             Yellow Group 1C. Basal zone — Yellow Group 1A. Margins —             Undulated. Shape — Some irregularity; generally spatulate to             oblanceolate. Apex — Acuminate. Base — Both cuneate and             attenuate observed. Texture, inner and outer surfaces —             Smooth. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — Approximately 35, on average, and             regularly arranged around the styles. Anthers — Shape —             Reniform. Dimensions — 1.5 mm long and 1 mm wide, on             average. Color — Yellow-Orange Group 18A. Pollen — Generally             absent. Filaments — Color — Green-White Group 157B. Length —             3 mm.         -   Pistils.—Quantity — Average; approximately 60. Stigmas —             Dimensions — 0.5 mm long and 0.5 mm wide. Location — Equal             in position to anthers. Color — Green-White Group 158A.             Styles — Length — Approximately 4 mm long. Color —             Yellow-Green Group 145D, with intonations of Red-Purple             Group N57A.         -   Ovary.—Dimensions — 2 mm long and 1 mm in diameter. Color —             Yellow-Green Group 145C.         -   Receptacle.—Shape — Funnel-shaped. Dimensions —             Approximately 5 mm high and 7 mm wide. Surface — Glaucous             and lightly pubescent; limited number of fine white hairs.             Color — Yellow-Green Group 144B. -   Hips and seed formation: Not observed. -   Comparisons with the parents:

The new rose plant may be distinguished from its seed parent, ‘KORsalexa’, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘KORpot060’ exhibits a compact growth habit, whereas         ‘KORsalexa’ exhibits a tall, upright growth habit.     -   2. ‘KORpot060’ exhibits a short, globular flower bud, whereas         ‘KORsalexa’ exhibits a long, pointed ovoid bud form.     -   3. The flowers of ‘KORpot060’ have approximately 90 petals         whereas, the flowers of ‘KORsalexa’ have approximately 55 to 65         petals.

The new rose plant may be distinguished from its pollen parent, ‘KORpot012’, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘KORpot060’ exhibits a generally symmetric plant shape,         whereas ‘KORpot012’ exhibits a partially asymmetric plant shape.     -   2. ‘KORpot060’ exhibits a white flower with deep pink margins,         whereas ‘KORpot012’ exhibits a white flower with soft pink         margins.     -   3. The flowers of ‘KORpot060’ exhibit exhibits very good shelf         life as a pot plant, whereas the shelf life of ‘KORpot012’ as a         pot plant is not as good.

-   Comparison with the most similar Rosa cultivar known to the     inventor:

For a comparison, several physical characteristics of the rose variety ‘KORpot001’, a rose variety from the same inventor described and illustrated in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,954 are compared to ‘KORpot060’ in Chart 1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘KORpot060’ ‘KORpot001’ General tonality Yellow Group 2D with Yellow-Orange Group of the flower. intonations of Red 20C. Purple 58D. Pistil count. 60. 25 to 30. Flower petal count. 90. 70 to 85. 

That which is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant named ‘KORpot060’, as described and illustrated herein. 